Huskies Notebook: Locker's Injury Doesn't Concern Dad

The father of the most popular man in Montlake gave a prognosis that is sure to make Husky fans happy Saturday.

"I have little doubt that he'll be on the field at Oregon," said Scott Locker, the father of Washington quarterback Jake Locker.

After meeting with the school's athletic trainers to discuss the MRI results of his son's hamstring injury, Scott Locker updated reporters on Jake's status while attending Washington's picture day at Husky Stadium Saturday.

"They said just a minor strain there on the outside of his leg there," Scott Locker said. "They can't really give me a time frame because it depends on how it heals, but they said they didn't think it would be to long."

The elder Locker had earlier said during an interview on KJR that the injury was a slight tear. He said the way it was explained to him by football trainer Rob Scheidegger, that the terminology is interchangeable.

"He said you can use them all interchangeably," said Locker, who indicated that his son could be back at practice as early as next week. "Strain, sprain, tear."

Locker has been limping noticeably around campus, but Scott Locker said some of that has to do with how tightly trainers have the leg wrapped.

"He said it's not all that painful, but they've got him pretty wrapped up," he said. "I saw him this morning and it looked like he was limping pretty good, but they've got him wrapped so tight, they want to keep it immobilized."

The injury is on the outside of Locker's left leg, and not to the long muscle in the back of his leg, Scott Locker said.

"If you're going to have it happen, that might be one of the better places for it," he said.

Scott Woodward, the UW's acting athletic director, was also at picture day, and he too was optimistic about Locker's prognosis.

"He's going to play in the Oregon game," Woodward said. "He's got the best medical staff in America, the best trainers in America. He'll be good to go for the Oregon game."

Other Injuries

Brandon Johnson was in a red jersey at practice Saturday, indicating no contact. Johnson, a sophomore tailback who is the frontrunner to win the starting job, had his knee scoped during the offseason, and is still not all the way back from that injury, coach Tyrone Willingham said. Cornerback Byron Davenport was also in red, apparently having suffered an ankle injury during Friday's practice.

Willingham reported that center Juan Garcia continues to progress well while recovering from the Lisfranc sprain he suffered in April.

Willingham said that Garcia hasn't had any setbacks, and is participating in some drills.